PM Mitsotakis Orders Overhaul of Chania Police Following Fatal Traffic Accident

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has ordered the disbandment of the Police Directorate in Chania in the wake of a tragic traffic accident that claimed the life of 22-year-old Panagiotis.

The young man died in the early hours of January 13, when his vehicle collided with a drunk driver on Souda Avenue in Chania. The decision follows growing outrage over the police's handling of the situation.

In response to the incident, it has been confirmed that the current Police Director of Chania will be replaced by a senior officer from Athens, marking a significant shake-up within the local police force. According to information from the Associated Press, this restructuring aims to address the failures in law enforcement that contributed to the fatal accident.

Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, addressed the issue on Monday, January 13, stating that there were "no excuses" for the officers' failure to properly control the 45-year-old driver involved in the incident. Chrysochoidis emphasised that sanctions would be imposed on those responsible for any lapses in supervision or control.

Police officers who were present at the scene have defended their actions, claiming they were instructed by superiors not to arrest the driver, despite his visible intoxication and lack of a valid license. Konstantinos Giannelakis, one of the officers involved, insisted that their actions were in line with department orders. However, a statement from the National Police’s spokeswoman, Constantia Demoglidou, clarified that while the officers are not being accused, they are under investigation for possible criminal conduct. She pointed out that, regardless of standing orders, the officers could have easily contacted a prosecutor or their commander for further instructions, especially given the driver’s high blood alcohol level.

In a scathing statement, the Chania prosecutor’s office also condemned the police, asserting that no written or verbal instructions were ever issued to prevent the arrest of intoxicated drivers. The Director of Public Prosecutions emphasised that the officers involved failed to inform the prosecutor, as required by law, and did not take appropriate action to detain the driver, who was clearly a danger to public safety.

The tragic accident unfolded shortly before 3:00 a.m. on Souda Avenue, where security footage captured Panagiotis’s white car being struck by a black jeep. The drunk driver had veered into oncoming traffic, causing a violent collision that left both vehicles mangled and scattered debris across the road. The force of the crash sent the jeep careening another 150 metres before it collided with a tree. The young driver, Panagiotis, died instantly, while the drunk driver was left unscathed.

The incident has sparked outrage across Greece, with many calling for greater accountability within law enforcement and harsher penalties for those driving under the influence.

(Source: To Vima)